Energy use down for the first time since 1999

28/02/2006 14:00

For the first time since 1999, total energy consumption in the Netherlands decreased in 2005. This is mainly due to a reduction in the amount of energy used by power stations. The amount of energy generated in the Netherlands decreased and imports of energy increased. Energy consumption by energy users, on the other hand, increased in 2005.

Total energy consumption

Reduced use of natural gas and coal

Last year, the amount of fossil fuels used to generate electricity was reduced; the use of natural gas dropped by 6 percent, coal and coal products by 9 percent. The use of biomass, on the other hand, doubled to approximately 30 petajoules (PJ).

Use of fuels in electricity production

Electricity production down; imports up

The reduced use of fossil fuels led to lower electricity production. Electricity production was reduced by 2.5 percent to 282 PJ in 2005. Net imports of electricity grew by 19 percent to 69 PJ, accounting for one fifth of total use by energy consumers.

Electricity consumption gradually increasing

The amount of electrical energy used by Dutch consumers annually grew by an average 1.5 percent over the last five years. In 2005, it totals 344 PJ, as against 321 PJ in 2000. The use of natural gas by energy consumers was 3 percent down in 2005 as compared to 2000.